Course Overview

This course approaches the challenges of creating affordable and sustainable housing in dense urban contexts, using the Rexurbe Area in Ferrol Vello as a case study. Students will develop design proposals that prioritize social equity and sustainability, using hand drawings and physical models. The programme explores urban regeneration and compact housing design while emphasizing creative, interdisciplinary collaboration. It aims to equip students with the practical skills needed to address social and housing challenges.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the programme, participants should have acquired a deeper understanding of how to analyze and deal with a complex urban context, enabling them to:
• Propose suitable housing solutions in limited urban spaces.
• Design public spaces and uses that foster community and encourage social interaction.
• Communicate ideas and concepts through hand drawings and physical models.
• Engage in participatory design processes, addressing problems collectively and proposing integrated solutions as a group.

Course Content

During the first week students will be provided with tools and strategies that will help them to work on their proposals for Ferrol Vello. The course content is structured as follows:
Week 1
• Introduction to the course and key concepts.
• Presentations covering the topics of the programme: approach on neighborhood
development and regeneration, community building, and compact housing.
• Site visit to Ferrol Vello.
• Site analysis of Ferrol Vello through hand drawings and physical models.
• Analysis of successful housing projects in contexts with limited space.
Week 2
• Development of design proposals for the designated areas in Ferrol Vello.
• Ongoing presentations and reviews of work in progress, including discussions on successful case studies.
• Final presentation of the proposals for the Ferrol Vello site.

Topics not covered in this course include:
o In-depth urban planning regulations or legal frameworks.
o Theoretical studies unrelated to architectural practice.

Instructional Method

This course will be organized as a seminar with a maximum of 30 students, where students work in groups of 5 people each. They will receive ongoing feedback throughout the process, along with individual consultations to refine their proposals
and ensure cohesion within the group.
Each group will be assigned a specific area in Ferrol Vello, with team members dividing responsibilities between individual plots and public spaces. Students will have to coordinate their work, ensuring that all proposals are interconnected and function
cohesively within the broader urban context.

Required Course Materials

• Sketchbooks and drawing materials for hand drawings.
• Tracing paper, including large-format sheets (e.g., A2 or A1)
• Materials for building physical models (foam, cardboard, glue, cutter, etc.).
• Examples on housing design, urban regeneration and social sustainability will be provided during the presentations.
• Laptop and access to software tools.
Participants should be comfortable and enthusiastic about developing proposals through hands-on methods, including hand drawings and physical model-building.

Assessment

Students will be assessed based on:
• Regular attendance and participation throughout the seminar.
• Group collaboration and ability to integrate feedback.
• The quality of their design process and final proposal for Ferrol Vello.